B.C. Strengthens Indigenous Jurisdiction In Child, Family Services

The BC Government has introduced amendments to the Adoption Act and the Child, Family and Community Service Act, aimed at expanding the scope for joint and consent-based decision-making agreements in Indigenous child and family services.

It hopes the changes will create a full pathway for dispute resolution through the provincial courts under Indigenous law.

New legislation, when passed, will further support Indigenous communities to exercise authority for child and family services.

The amendments:

 - expand the scope and minimize barriers for joint and consent-based decision-making agreements; and
 - enable the use of the B.C. Supreme Court and B.C. Court of Appeal as appellate courts for Indigenous child and family services laws.

The province says the changes build on the historic Indigenous Self-Government in Child and Family Service Act, which was passed in 2022, and more closely align the ministry’s approach with the intention of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.